Home page

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, IDRC would like to document the impact IDRC-supported research have had in people's lives. They would like to hear from you. Deadline: December 15, 2008

IDRC will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2010. To mark the occasion, we want to document and write stories about some of the projects and activities supported by IDRC since its creation that have had and continue to have an impact — that have improved people’s lives.

For example:

* Cassava breeding research supported in Africa during the 1970s and 1980s led to the development of high protein varieties of cassava and to plants uniquely adapted to West African growing conditions. One of those varieties helped make Nigeria a leading world producer of this staple food crop.

* In Morocco, research to facilitate the processing of argan nuts resulted in the creation of women’s cooperatives that provide more than 2500 women with an income, training, and other services. Conservation and reforestation of argan plantations are also helping stop desert encroachment.

* In India, pilot village knowledge centres to bring information and communication technologies to remote communities are making livelihoods more secure, sustainable, and safe, and are helping villagers to develop new skills. The research has spawned a grassroots movement to bring the benefits of the knowledge revolution to 600 000 villages.

* After 32 failed attempts to reach consensus on water legislation and a deadly social conflict over water rights, IDRC-supported researchers in Bolivia have helped their country develop a water law that everyone could agree on. The new law recognizes traditional water rights and uses, and guarantees rights to water for irrigation for Indigenous and farming communities.

From disease-resistant banana varieties to health system improvements that reduced rates of death and illness, we would like you to share with us examples of how IDRC-supported research has made a difference. The goal is to show the range of work IDRC supports and has supported and the real impact it has had — and continues to have — on the lives of real people around the world.

What are the lasting impacts of 40 years of IDRC-supported research? You tell us.

Please contact:
Lasting Impacts c/o Michelle Hibler
International Development Research Centre
PO Box 8500
Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 3H9
Email: impacts@idrc.ca

Deadline: December 15, 2008

Associated websites:

• http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-130770-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html